Robbie Keane has a lot of time for Evan Ferguson
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Robbie Keane has a lot of time for Evan Ferguson

ROBBIE KEANE BELIEVES THAT EVAN Ferguson's quick rise in English football could be great for the Republic of Ireland team and Stephen Kenny. 

Ferguson scored against Latvia on his first Ireland start last week. Before this Ferguson several goals at club level.  

Tonight, Ireland and France clash in their Euro 2024 group, with the 18-year-old expected to lead the line for the Boys in Green. 

Keane, who the most capped Irish player and is the top goal scorer in the team's history knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net gave his opinion on the Brighton & Hove Albion star.  

"The emergence of Evan Ferguson has been great to watch. It’s a big thing for Ireland to have someone who is playing on a regular basis for a top-10 Premier League club," said Ireland's record goal scorer to Betway 

"I’ve always said that we need to have our best players playing in the best leagues if we want to achieve something and Evan is doing that at a wonderful club like Brighton. 

"He’s got huge potential and a real chance of fulfilling that because he seems to be so level-headed and has clearly been managed well. We’ve seen that he can score goals too, and as a nation we’ve been crying out for someone who can do that on a regular basis. 

"Hopefully he can be the man to take that responsibility for Ireland going forward, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. He’s a young kid and I know what it’s like to have pressure at that stage of your career. I was lucky enough to overcome it and score many goals. Evan’s his own person and his own player, and I think he’s got something special." 

Ireland's game against France starts at 7.45pm .

You can watch the game live on RTE TWO. 

IRELAND’S MATCHDAY SQUAD v FRANCE   

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)   

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Atletico Madrid), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), James McClean (Wigan Athletic)   

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton) Mark Sykes (Bristol City). Jamie McGrath (Dundee United)